Lake Geneva – or Lac Léman, as it is called in French – is not only one of the largest lakes in Europe, but also one of the most diverse. The area around it is full of contrasts: chic cities, romantic villages, fairytale castles, views of snow-capped peaks and vineyards listed as a World Heritage Site. And believe me, Montreux is not the only place worth visiting. Between snow-capped Alpine peaks and a Mediterranean atmosphere, vineyards and water sports, small gems and great experiences await you. In this article, I will show you seven interesting places you should not miss when you are here.
Chillon Castle
In my opinion, this is the most photographed castle in Switzerland and a legend among Swiss castles! This impressive structure on a rocky island in Lake Geneva has been enchanting visitors for centuries. You can get there by a pleasant walk along the lake from Montreux, or by boat. The pier is right next to the castle, and the trip from Montreux takes 15 minutes.
Nyon
This town of 19,000 inhabitants is easily accessible by train from Geneva in just 15 minutes. If you approach Nyon by boat on Lake Geneva, you cannot miss the bright white towers of the local castle, which rise from the center of the town on top of a hill. Nyon is home to the Musée Romain – Roman Museum, commemorating Nyon’s Roman roots, when it was called Colonia Iulia Equestris.
Yvoire
While you’re in Nyon, why not take a quick trip to France? A pleasant 20-minute boat ride will take you to the opposite shore of Lake Geneva, where the most beautiful village in France awaits you. The town has many remarkably well-preserved stone houses, some dating back to the 14th century. To this day, the village still has visible fortifications in the center and well-preserved walls.
Swiss Vapeur Parc
Swiss Vapeur Park is every railway fan’s dream: in this theme park with several kilometers of miniature railway tracks, trains on a 1:4 scale, both steam and electric, race around. There are three different routes and three stations where you can hop on and off the train and change lines as you please, riding as many times as you like. Of course, there are also miniature versions of various famous Swiss buildings.
Morges
I recommend visiting Morges, especially in spring, when the tulip festival takes place. The festival has been held annually since 1971 and lasts for six weeks at the end of April and beginning of May. On the shores of Lake Geneva, in the Parc de l’Indépendance, dozens of varieties of tulips are planted, which bloom gradually and are arranged to form various patterns. A big bonus is that there is no entrance fee.
The terraced vineyards of Lavaux
The terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. This unique wine-growing region between Lausanne and Montreux covers an area of approximately 800 hectares. Hiking trails crisscross the vineyards to get a close-up view of the future “liquid treasure.” We walked two trails here: from Lutry to Cully and from Rivaz to Cully.
Chardonne
May and June are wild narcissus season on Lake Geneva. There are a total of six narcissus trails here. One of them is around Mont-Pèlerin above Vevey. A funicular railway will take you to the charming village of Chardonne, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the lake.
Lake Geneva is a real gem – whether you love history, nature, romantic spots or good wine. Each of these places offers something different, but they all have one thing in common: the beautiful backdrop of the lake and a pleasant, almost Mediterranean atmosphere. Have you been to any of these places? Or do you have your own tips that are missing from the article? Write to me in the comments – I’d love to hear your inspiration!
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